SERMON NOTES:
The joining of emotional health and contemplative spirituality takes us below the surface of our lives so Jesus can heal and transform.
The Problem- “You cannot be spiritually mature and remain emotionally immature!”
2 Corinthians 12 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Three insights from the Apostle Paul as we begin the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality journey:
- Healthy active self-awareness is vital to EHS but not natural or normal!
- A close personal life with Jesus on His terms is vital to EHS but not natural or normal!
- It’s notoriously human to simplistically misinterpret life’s difficulties - but not at all healthy!
Silence and Solitude are vital for Emotionally Healthy Spirituality!
Symptoms of emotionally unhealthy spirituality:
1-Using God to run from God
2-Ignoring anger, sadness and fear
3-Dying to the wrong things
4-Denying the impact of the past on the present
5-Dividing life into “sacred” and “secular” compartments
6-Doing for God over being with God
7-Spiritualizing away conflict
8-Covering over brokenness, weakness, failure
9-Living without limits
10-Judging other’s spiritual journeys
SYNC GUIDE
SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER
Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.
Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”
Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)
Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying? Why this word this day?
What are You asking me to believe about You and about me? How am I learning to Sync up?
How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”
Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.
Monday – Matthew 6:28-34
Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Wednesday – John 2:12-22
Thursday– Matthew 16:13-28
Friday – Philippians 3:4-11
Saturday – Psalm 51
Got questions? Continue the discussion. Follow the link @ https://goo.gl/Jd93J7